1) Escondido (Division 2, Escondido)

Head Coach: Paul Baldwin (6^th Year)
Last year’s record: 21 – 9 (9 – 1, 1^st)
Last year’s playoffs: Won CIF D-2 Championship; Lost in State 1^st Round.
Key players: Lorenzo Keeler (Sr, 6’01"), Chris Williams (Sr, 5’10"), Randy Boston (Sr, 6’00"), Djordje Jovanic (Sr, 6’06")
Losses to overcome: Brandon Burgess (graduation)
Summary: The Cougars made an improbable run to the CIF title last year behind the strong play of Keeler. Now a year older and a year wiser, Escondido no longer looks to be a one-man show as Williams, Boston, and Jovanic all should make major contributions. Should be the favorite to take another D-2 crown.

2) Ramona (Division 2, Ramona)

Head Coach: Ken Scheib (2^nd Year)
Last year’s record: 11 – 15 (6 – 4, 4^th)
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in 1^st Round.
Key players: Mike Perram (Sr, 6’07"), Joey Bess (Jr, 6’00"), Topher Brazle (Sr, 6’02")
Losses to overcome: Kevin Holmes (graduation), Danny Keyser (graduation)
Summary: Perram is a good player who can hurt teams both inside and outside. If the Bulldogs are to make a run at the league title though, Bess and Brazle must provide good guard play to negate the quickness and experience of Escondido.

3) San Pasqual (Division 2, Escondido)

Head Coach: Rich Sullivan (1^st Year)
Last year’s record: 14 – 11 (7 – 3, tied for 2^nd)
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in 1^st Round.
Key players: Craig Hardy (Sr, 6’04"), Mickell Harrell (Sr, 6’00"), Wesley Monnell (Jr, 5’06"), Alex Sanchez (Jr, 6’01")
Losses to overcome: Kris Petrovic (Mira Costa College), Kyle Adams (transferred to Army-Navy)
Summary: Loss of Petrovic will hurt, but a quality group returns for the Eagles. Hardy and Harrell should provide a solid inside punch, while Sanchez mans the perimeter.

4) Valley Center (Division 3, Valley Center)

Head Coach: Mike Schanze (2^nd Year)
Last year’s record: 10 – 19 (7 – 3, tied for 2^nd)
Last year’s playoffs: Lost in Quarterfinals.
Key players: A.J. Reilly (Sr, 5’10"), Jordan Armstrong (Jr, 6’01"), Austin Pickering (Sr, 6’02"), Kevin Kraft (Sr, 6’03")
Losses to overcome: Ryan Ness (graduation), Garrett Reden (graduation)
Summary: Reilly is the best point guard in the league and can score points in a hurry. Lack of size will hurt the Jaguars, who are hoping some other players step up and produce.

5) Westview (Division 3, Rancho Penasquitos)

Head Coach: David Delaney (2^nd Year)
Last year’s record: 6 – 21 (1 – 9, tied for 5^th)
Last year’s playoffs: None
Key players: Warren Scott (Jr, 6’03"), Nolan Bauer (Jr, 6’03"), Jason Dodson (Jr, 5’09"), Adam Chamowitz (So, 6’00")
Losses to overcome: None
Summary: Their juniors are a year wiser but the Wolverines still lack the size and experience to make a run at the league title. Scott is a solid player, and transfer Chamowitz should provide some outside touch.

6) Orange Glen (Division 2, Escondido)

Head Coach: Curtis Hofmeister (2^nd Year)
Last year’s record: 2 – 24 (1 – 9, tied for 5^th)
Last year’s playoffs: None
Key players: Casey Hutchinson (Sr, 5’09"), Geoff Smith (Jr, 6’02"), John Cotty (Jr, 6’01"), Ryan Dew (Jr, 5’08")
Losses to overcome: Ian Hutchinson (graduation)
Summary: Cotty and Dew come up from a strong JV to help Orange Glen make another stride forward in their rebuilding effort. Hutchinson’s scoring will be missed, but the Patriots should be improved overall.

Player of the Year: Lorenzo Keeler (Escondido)